50 Beautiful Zulu Names for Girls and Their Meanings

Parents naturally want to give their children nice names that reflect their goodwill towards the child, and in Africa, names are usually believed to have an impact on how successful the child will grow to become. This is why parents are always choosy when it comes to picking a name for their kids. There are so many good Zulu names for girls that sound nice and have deep meanings as well and we rounded them up for easy access.

Zulu Names For The Girl Child And What They Mean

Usually, Zulu people are known to have several names because their parents are not the only ones who give them names; other family members are also allowed to give names to a newborn girl child. Notwithstanding the name you are choosing for a Zulu child, it is important that you pay attention to the meaning.

No parent would want to give their child a name that has a bad meaning, so, to help you choose a good Zulu name for your girl child, we have put together a list of 50 Zulu names for a girl child and their meanings.

1. Zibuyile

Meaning: The dowry cows have come back.
Significance of the name: Zibuyile denotes the family’s expectations and feelings about the child.
Qualities: People with the name Zibuyile are known to be creative, possess great leadership attributes, organized and ambitious.
Pronunciation: Zi-b(u)-Yi-le

2. Nqobile

Meaning: Has come up victorious in what was a hopeless situation.
Significance: Denotes, encouragement to the family.
Qualities: People with the name Nqobile are known to be peacemakers, love harmony, and will rather let go than have issues with anyone. They are also determined and creative.
Pronunciation: Nqo bi le

3. Noxolo

Meaning: Mother of Peace.
Significance: The name Noxolo denotes what the family expects of the child.
Qualities: People with the name Noxolo are known to be multi-talented and are good at selling ideas to others. They are clever, analytical, and have an inspirational approach to life.
Pronunciation: Noh Xoh Loh

4. Nomvula

Meaning: Queen Mother of Rain.
Significance: Nomvula is a name that signifies the season a child was born.
Qualities: The name Nomvula signifies a person who is hardworking. They lack patience and will stop at nothing when it comes to achieving goals.
Pronunciation: N(o)-mvu- la, Nom-vu la

5. Thalente

Meaning: Talent
Significance: The family’s expectations towards the child.
Qualities: Those who bear the name Thalente are logical thinkers. They are detail-oriented and can be depended on. In a relationship, they love to take control and hate restrictions.
Pronunciation: Th(a)-len-te,

6. Thembile

Meaning: Hopeful/Trusting.
Significance: Denotes the family’s feelings towards the child.
Qualities: Ladies with the name Thembile usually have the potential to gain spiritual enlightenment, and they usually have what it takes to strike a balance between opposing forces.
Pronunciation: Th(e)-mbi- le

7. Gugulethu

Meaning: Our Treasure.
Significance: It signifies the way the Family Feels about the child
Qualities: Qualities of a person bearing the name include being fun-loving, sexual, progressive, free-thinking, and able to handle unexpected changes.
Pronunciation: G(u)-g(u)-le-tu

8. Nomathemba

Meaning: Mother of Trust/hope.
Significance: The name Nomathemba denotes the parent’s expectations about the child.
Qualities: People with the name Nomathemba usually have the potential to attain spiritual heights.
Pronunciation: N(o)-mathe-mba, Nom(a)-the mba.

9. Sibusisiwe

Meaning: We are blessed.
Significance: Sibusisiwe signifies the family’s religion.
Qualities: Understanding, intelligent, forgiving, and romantic people.
Pronunciation: Si-bu-sis-we.

10. Nomandla

Meaning: Mother of Strength.
Significance: Nomandla denotes encouragement.
Qualities: People who bear the name Nomandla are usually attractive and desire success in its fullness.
Pronunciation: N(o)-mand- la, Nom(an)-d la.

Other South African Zulu Names for Girls

11. Owethu

Meaning: She is ours.
Significance: It denotes the family’s feelings towards the child.
Qualities: Persons with the name Owethu are usually gentle, diplomatic, cooperative, and are great storytellers.
Pronunciation: Oh-we-th-u.

12. Thandeka

Meaning: Lovely.
Significance: It denotes how the parents feel about the child.
Qualities: The name Thandeka is common among people with keen administrative skills, they are also creative, idealistic, and have the potential for financial rewards.
Pronunciation: Th(a)-nde- ka, Than-de ka.

13. Lungile

Meaning: Kind/Good
Significance: Lungile is a name that denotes the family’s expectations towards the child.
Qualities: People with the name Lungile are usually romantic and creative. They love soft music and attract success.
Pronunciation: Lun-gi-le.

14. Amahle

Meaning: The beautiful ones.
Significance: It signifies the parent’s feelings towards the child.
Qualities: Amahle has a name number numerology of 4, which represents people who are knowledgeable, prudent, organized, and sincere.
Pronunciation: A-mah-le.

15. Nomagugu

Meaning: Mother of treasures.
Significance: Denotes what the family expects of the child.
Qualities: They always seek to improve any situation and are achievers who take the big picture into consideration.
Pronunciation: N(o)-magu- gu, Nom(a)-gu gu.

16. Nonhlanhla

Meaning: Mother of luck.
Significance: Denotes the family’s expectations.
Qualities: Nonhlanhla is a name for a person who loves to enjoy the pleasure of life, someone who is social, relentless, and loves to inspire and lead.
Pronunciation: n(o)-nhlanh- la, non(h)-la-nh la.

17. Thembekile

Meaning: Trustworthy/Reliable.
Significance: A name that denotes the family’s expectations and feelings.
Qualities: People with the name Thembekile are achievers, they always seek to improve a situation and are full of ideas.
Pronunciation: Th(e)-mbeki-le, Themb(e)-kile.

18. Nomcebo

Meaning: Mother of wealth
Significance: Signifies the parent’s expectations.
Qualities: People with this name are expected to be stable, rigid, hardworking, and determined goal getters.
Pronunciation: N(o)-mce-bo, Nom-cebo

19. Thandiwe

Meaning: Beloved.
Significance: Denotes the family’s feelings towards the child.
Qualities: People with this name are pleasure-loving, and love bringing peace to others, they are good mediators and have a way of kicking off negativity.
Pronunciation: Tahn-DEE-weh.

20. Nonjabulo

Meaning: Mother of Joy.
Significance: Signifies the parent’s feelings towards their child.
Qualities: People with this name have numerology of 5 which means they are free thinkers and sexual people who love changes and challenges.
Pronunciation: N(o)-njabu-lo, Non-ja-bu-lo.

More South African Zulu Names For Girls

21. Gabisile

Meaning: Have made (people) envious, but they won’t get it.
Significance: It denotes how the family relates to others.
Qualities: They have the tendency of being ambitious. They are creative and possess mental and physical strength.
Pronunciation: Ga-bi-Sile.

22. Nomzamo

Meaning: Mother of attempts and efforts or struggle.
Significance: Denotes encouragement.
Qualities: They are intellectual and have the strength and psychic ability, usually disciplined, and always seek to understand and know the truth.
Pronunciation: N(o)-mza-mo, Nom-za-mo.

23. Nobuhle

Meaning: Mother of beauty and goodness.
Significance: Denotes the family’s feelings towards the child.
Qualities: They are forever youthful risk-takers who love having fun and can handle u expected changes and challenges.
Pronunciation: N(o)-buh-le.

24. Thabisile/Jabulisile

Meaning: Has brought joy.
Significance: signifies the feeling of the family towards the child.
Qualities: They make good planning, organizing, and administrative employees who are stable, rigid, and determined.
Pronunciation: Th(a)-bisi-le, Th-ab(i)-sile.

25. Gugu

Meaning: Treasure.
Significance: Denotes how special the family sees the child.
Qualities: people with the name are usually receptive, stable, forgiving, accepting, passive and uncomplicated.
Pronunciation: g(u)-gu.

26. Nolwandle

Meaning: Mother of ocean.
Significance: Denotes encouragement.
Qualities: They are creative, organized, and natural leaders.
Pronunciation: N(o)-lwand-le, Nol-wa-ndle.

27. Nomasonto

Meaning: Mother of Sundays/churches.
Significance: It denotes the time when the child was born.
Qualities: People with this name have innate abilities and a broad vision.
Pronunciation: N(o)-mason-to, Nom(a)-so-nto.

28. Busisiwe

Meaning: (Baby) is blessed.
Significance: A Zulu name for Christians.
Qualities: They are family-oriented, and will stop at nothing to achieve their goal.
Pronunciation: B(u)-sisi-we, Bus(i)-si-we.

29. Nozibusiso

Meaning: Mother of blessing.
Significance: Nozibusiso is a religious and political name.
Qualities: They are progressive, free-thinking, fun-loving, and sexual.
Pronunciation: N(o)-zibusi-so, Noz(i)-bu-si so.

30. Siphesihle

Meaning: Beautiful Gift.
Significance: Denotes the family’s feelings towards the child.
Qualities: They are tolerant, compassionate, and seem to be wiser than their age.
Pronunciation: Si-phe-si-hle.

These Are Also Beautiful Zulu Names for Girls

31. Sibongile

Meaning: We are grateful.
Significance: A Christian Zulu name that shows the family’s feelings towards the child.
Qualities: Their personalities are a perfect balance between the feminine and masculine.
Pronunciation: S(i)-bongi-le, Sib(on)-gi le.

32. Khanyisile

Meaning: Has brought light.
Significance: A Zulu name that denotes what the parents feel about the child.
Qualities: They love challenges and take too many risks.
Pronunciation: Kh-an-yi-sile.

33. Nkazimulo

Meaning: Glory.
Significance: A Christian Zulu name.
Qualities: They are progressive free thinkers who can handle unexpected changes and challenges.
Pronunciation: N-kazimu-lo, Nk(a)-zi-mu lo.

34. Thandazile

Meaning: Has/have prayed.
Significance: A Christian Zulu name.
Qualities: They are creative and have a tendency to be organized, ambitious and natural leaders.
Pronunciation: Th(a)-ndazi-le, Than-da-zi-le.

35. Nomthandazo

Meaning: Mother of prayer.
Significance: A Christian Zulu name that signifies what the parents expect for the child.
Qualities: They are fun-loving, risking taking, and free-thinking people.
Pronunciation: N(o)-mthanda-zo, Nom-than-da zo.

36. Silondile

Meaning: Has kept/protected us.
Significance: A Christian Zulu name.
Qualities: Full of ideas and has a broad vision.
Pronunciation: Si-lon-dile.

37. Londiwe

Meaning: Protected/kept safe.
Significance: A religious Zulu name that denotes the parent’s feeling for the child.
Qualities: They are natural leaders who love being at the top of everything.
Pronunciation: Lo-ndi-we.

38. Dumisile

Meaning: Has/have given praise.
Significance: A Christian Zulu name.
Qualities: People with this name usually have a balance between the feminine and masculine. They are stable, reliable, and lucky.
Pronunciation: Du-mi-sile.

39. Nobantu

Meaning: Mother of people.
Significance: Denotes encouragement and how the family relates to people.
Qualities: They are stable, warm, motherly, and supportive problem solvers.
Pronunciation: N(o)-ban-tu, Nob (a)-ntu.

40. Nozizwe

Meaning: Mother of nations.
Significance: Denotes encouragement and how the family relates to people.
Qualities: They are creative and love being in the spotlight.
Pronunciation: N(o)-ziz-we, Noz(i)-z we.

Unique Zulu Names for the Girl-Child

41. Anele

Meaning: Be sufficient.
Significance: Denotes the parents’ feelings and expectations for the child.
Qualities: They are creative and have the tendency to be natural leaders.
Pronunciation: Ah-ne-le.

42. Ndonsa

Meaning: Morning star.
Significance: Denotes the family’s feelings towards the child.
Qualities: They are usually determined and fun-loving goal-getters.
Pronunciation: N-don-sa.

43. Esihle

Meaning: Beautiful.
Significance: Denotes the family’s feelings towards the child.
Qualities: They are creative and organized.
Pronunciation: Esi-hle.

44. Bhekithemba

Meaning: Look for hope
Significance: Denotes the family’s situation at the time of birth and expectations for the child.
Qualities: They are fun-loving people who give hope to others and have great conversational skills.
Pronunciation: Bhe-kithe-mba, Bhek(i)-the-mba.

45. Esasa

Meaning: Be happy.
Significance: Signifies the family’s expectations for the child.
Qualities: They are stable, strong, and knowledgeable.
Pronunciation: Eh-sa-sa.

46. Dela

Meaning: Complete and satisfied.
Significance: Denotes the family’s feelings towards the child.
Qualities: They are determined and hardworking.
Pronunciation: Del-a.

47. Didiza

Meaning: Flutter.
Significance: Signifies the family’s situation and relationship with other people at the time of the child’s birth.
Qualities: They are creative, objective, and have a broad vision.
Pronunciation: Di-di-za.

48. Ekuseni

Meaning: In the morning.
Significance: Signifies the season of birth.
Qualities: They are usually creative, ambitious, and determined.
Pronunciation: Eku-se-ni.

49. Ethulo

Meaning: Gift.
Significance: A name that denotes the family’s feelings towards the child.
Qualities: People with this name are fun-loving, exciting, and natural leaders.
Pronunciation: Eh-th-u-lo.

50. Kuhle

Meaning: It is beautiful.
Significance: Signifies the parent’s feelings towards the child.
Qualities: They are kind, energetic, and realistic.
Pronunciation: Ku-hle.

5 Common Zulu Names for Girls You Should Absolutely Consider

Here are five special Zulu names that you should absolutely consider because of their beautiful meanings and sound.

Simphiwe: We have her as a gift.
Philisiwe: Healed.
Zandile: They have multiplied.
Zinhle: The (girls) are beautiful.
Zenzile: You are responsible for what you become.

What You Should Know About Naming In Zulu

Zulu is the largest ethnic group in South Africa with about 10–12 million people who mostly live in KwaZulu-Natal. Although a major number of Zulu people are found in South Africa, they can also be found in Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, and Botswana.

Zulu people name their children even before they are born and as a result, unlike some other African cultures, they do not do naming ceremonies. Instead of a naming ceremony, “imbeleko” is held to introduce the child to the ancestors and thank them for the child.

During imbeleko, a goat is slaughtered and sacrificed to the ancestors, the oldest person in the family is responsible for introducing the child to the ancestors. While the goat is being slaughtered, the oldest person presents the child by calling her by name and then goes on to speak to the ancestors.

Zulu names usually depict what the parents pray for the child to become in the future and sometimes it also speaks of the family’s current situation at the time of the child’s birth.